Streaming, accessories, audioengine, audioengine aw1, avenraaudio, aw1, music, wireless

Audioengine AW1 Lets You Stream Music With Little Fuss

Audioengine%20AW1%20GI.jpg Audioengine has released a software independent, wireless music streaming solution, called the AW1. The AW1 set contains a receiver module and transmitter; the receiver connects via USB, RCA or line-out and the transmitter connects to your PC via USB. The audio sent is then picked up by the connected audio source, with a reported 100-foot range.

Interestingly, the transmission method is unique to Audioengine, which uses their own AvenraAudio technology. We're not too sure how that sounds, but it supposed to churn out CD-quality output with no dropouts or static. At $149, it may be worth the investment if the sound reproduction is as good as they claim. [Audio Junkies]

7:03 AM on Wed Mar 12 2008
By Haroon Malik
3,464 views
11 comments

Comments

Shai at 07:58 AM on 03/12/08
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If this actually works, it's about friggan time.
Spyrojoe at 08:43 AM on 03/12/08
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$150 seems a bit much, but I definitely like the minimalist approach.
stryder100 at 10:02 AM on 03/12/08
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I was gonna wait to see a review but my compulsive side got the best of me and I ordered one. It's exactly what I've been looking for, and like Shai said it's about time. I'll report back in a few days.
radio1 at 10:15 AM on 03/12/08
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I agree, it's about time someone came up with a reasonably-priced wireless streaming audio solution.
Lizard_King at 11:38 AM on 03/12/08
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@Spyrojoe: I like the minimalist approach as well - WIRES!
spededdler at 11:46 AM on 03/12/08
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The Airport express with Airtunes does this. Its also a WiFi extender, print server, and can connect to multiple PCs without a dongle. 50 bucks cheaper too. Not sure if the sound quality is degraded but the other features/price should make up for it.
EnochLight at 12:12 PM on 03/12/08
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@spededdler: I suppose if crappy audio isn't acceptable to an audiophile, no amount of features can make up for it..
Teabiscuit at 12:31 PM on 03/12/08
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@spededdler and enlochlight -- the express is relatively complicated to set up and use, and only streams itunes music (not even audio from movies / tv shows downloaded from itunes, let alone anything not on itunes). Itunes sometimes doesn't "find" the speakers or doesn't play through them, forcing you to reboot. It works pretty well most of the time but it is annoying to do that at a party.

Yeah, you can hack express and probably optimize it a bit, but the point of this one is you don't have to do anything but plug it in. I don't have these but the audioengine speakers I have are extremely well designed and an exceptional good value in terms of price/performace (if light on features).
rk260395 at 01:54 PM on 03/12/08
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FWIW I found a review on this:

[www.htguys.com]

Seems like they liked it and this seems like a pretty good solution for people who want a quick and easy wireless audio stream from an MP3 player (PC or portable) to a receiver in another room. Just would like it to get about $150 cheaper. :)
b3n at 12:52 AM on 03/16/08
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looks like there is a wall wart for the receiving end of the pair.
stryder100 at 09:18 AM on 03/18/08
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I got one and I love it. I like the fact that it's totally software independent - it doesn't matter if your sound is coming from flash, Real, mp3, whatever - as long as it's transmitted out the headphones jack it works. I'm not an audiophile and can't attest to the quality (streaming 192kbps Radio Paradise to my stereo sounds great to me), and it was a little flakey at first on my Windoze laptop, but all in all it's great.
I think the solution to the flakiness was to set Control Panel/Sounds and Audio Devices/Audio/Default device to NOT be the AW1 but I haven't played with it long enough to be sure.